SNAP Articles

Congress has passed and President Trump has signed legislation containing a provision requiring the Department of Agriculture to rewrite a provision of the SNAP retailer eligibility rule issued in late 2016. That rule's new requirements, which were scheduled to take effect on May 17, 2017, will now be delayed until the Department of Agriculture can rewrite them to comport with Congress's new directives.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released final regulations governing retailer eligibility for redeeming Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The final rules accept many of the arguments that NATSO has made throughout the rulemaking process, both in comments filed with USDA as well as in testimony before the House Agriculture Committee.

NATSO met with the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Nov. 18 to discuss the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) proposed regulation regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as "food stamps") retailer eligibility requirements. The proposed regulation, which is expected to be finalized in a revised form before the end of the year, would functionally prohibit the convenience stores located within travel plazas from redeeming SNAP benefits.

From menu labeling requirements to taxes on sodas, there is a push at the federal and state levels to discourage the consumption of certain types of foods. The trend is increasing the number of regulations truckstop and travel plaza operators must adhere to and could alter sales.

NATSO told the Department of Agriculture that its recently proposed rule regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will negatively impact travel plazas that redeem SNAP benefits, and their customers, and should be substantially revised before it is finalized.